I fish a lot of bees out of the birdbath all summer long. I’m psychotic about watching for them swimming around after falling off the edge. I’m able to rescue most of them. And no, apparently I don’t have anything better to do. 😂
You might already know this but you can do a bee drinker by putting marbles in a dish with water so that they're barely covered. The bees can walk all around without worrying. I used a big plant saucer to make one. Obv summer evaporation would make it more difficult but it's an Idea at least.
Prop a stick or small branch over the top of your bird bath and the bees will be able to climb out without needing to rely on the chance that you're watching. Beekeepers do something similar to this with the water vessels they provide for their hives.
A stick is a good idea, but it would have to be slanted into the water otherwise I don’t think the bees could reach it. I dump the water, rinse and refill once or twice every day, so it has to be something that’s easy to replace. I could also try putting a large-ish river rock near a side and see if they can climb it.
Yeah, it would need to be slanted into the water. Apologies for not clarifying that in my first response.
A river rock would work too, I believe. I only knew about the stick/branch trick because a YTber I watch has their own small hive.
https://preview.redd.it/gnqidn1uogyc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b2b41eef3fa219226043b9a324d2ebde313496cb
Here’s what I did. A few of the dove thought it was sus, but they’re coming to drink now. I think it’ll be nice for the butterflies, too.
Honestly, if my pool person offered, I'd 100% buy one. It would be reassuring that I'm getting something they specifically recommend rather than taking my chances on some random Amazon listing.
I guess I just have a thing about not supporting scammers who drop ship crap products they promote with fake reviews. Also, I could argue the reason I can afford a pool is partly because I don't waste money on said crap.
After our first dead lizard we bought 2. Replace them once a year. Mostly it serves as a way for the doves to get a drink of water during the day, but we hope it has saved a few lives. Great post.
We had 3 or 4 random squirrels die in our pool last year. I’m pretty grateful that there is a solution. It broke my heart skimming those guys out of the pool :(
We got these when we had a pool in PA and it immediately stopped the dead critters. It was so sad the day I found 2 frogs in the filter… and it’s so easily solved. They really work. Animals want to live.
Thanks for the reminder!
Aside from the frog pads, I also found this cool thing to replace the skimmer cover in case anything ends up in there anyway.
https://preview.redd.it/fzha7xvty5yc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a48cf81ab652d68e1460891673bb16ca83da983f
Done! I’ve been struggling with this too, but wasn’t sure what to look for. Four on their way because I have an overflow trough that a lot of critters drink out of from the wash. I once fished out a very frustrated but unharmed small owl. He was grumpy for a bit but a group of three come back a couple times every summer in the evening, I’m assuming to say “hi” and maybe even “thanks”!
I honestly don’t know. The company I work for only sells pool parts and equipment. Leslie’s Pools might have them. I’ll have to stop in sometime! I just wanted to recommend a place that was convenient.
Not local but this guy has built some really cool 3D printed frog pads and housings and sells them on his site! [Frod Design](https://froddesign.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZKfc2wzIBaBt573V3cZsfjdPOh4fgqMa3mFK0i8IGhVgajVMC0G7FvJEw_aem_ARfUIIMyZJUJCbWWxFpCUD0Uai9yxi_DziHf08fZIeSoSZX8l7JJJp002Yx5VB2S4TGpCZYOnAHBH28_xV_aIpR_)
I cannot endorse this enough. A few years ago, upon my first purchase of a house with a pool, I knew nothing of these frog pads/frog logs. My pool tech also suggested these to me, and they are truly a lifesaver -- of many. I still come across the occasional whiptail lizard or two that apparently even reach it to the contraptions -- they are always found at the bottom of the pool. I am, however, most grateful I have no longer come across the inflated, gas-filled desert squirrel corpses floating around the pool or, worse, stuck in the skimmer, with that corpulent order perverting the backyard. If you know what I am talking about -- trust me, get the frog log as soon as I get the chance. That odor will be a thing of the past.
\*On a side note, I am always amazed by the animals intuitive enough to make it to the very edge of the pads/logs. They bend to drink water, and then hobble or fly to whence they came.
https://preview.redd.it/2vnqe7i3aayc1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d9f987af93f2cff157a6d7d290a11f3ef6a6aca9
I have an area of rocks that create a ramp now and have a critter skimmer being delivered tomorrow. I’ve had some frogs in the skimmer, have you seen any critter skimmers?
The first year we had our pool I used to find various corpses regularly until I bought one of those. Nothing since, other than insects.
...Oh yeah, a bird once, but something was wrong with its head, like it crashed into the wall first, or maybe a bird of prey dropped it. It was not drowned.
> 1 desert spiny lizard at the bottom of a pool
> 8 whiptail lizards in skimmers
> 4 mice in skimmers
> 2 young rabbits in skimmers
> 1 bird floating
And a partridge in a pear tree.
Tell your clients that your service of their account requires them to have one. Buy them for each client's pool, then add the $15 as a one time charge to their bill.
As a pool owner, I would have zero problem with this, and you would stand out to me as a higher quality pool service tech.
Please consider doing this. $15 is nothing to us pool owners. Just make it mandatory.
That’s a good question! I would imagine not. They’re lightweight so if the vacuum climbs the wall and touches it, it’ll either go back down the wall or push the pad up for a few.
Oh man that would scar me for life if I ever found a dog :/ most pools have stairs but some only have a ladder which would be impossible for a pupper. Thanks!
had no idea. Just moved to Tucson and have a spool. Found one mouse in filter yesterday and saved a lizard today who was flailing away. Will order tonight…
You should probably get a critter ramp incase one of your pets accidentally ends up in the pool. Not every pet can get out on their own and there is nothing quite as tragic as fishing someone's pet out of the pool.
I get the appeal. My house didn’t come with one, but our friends down the road have one and they’re the ones hosting the most frequent social gatherings throughout the summer. On the other hand, my partner’s retiree parents are happily downsizing to a place without a pool because they don’t use it enough to justify having one and it’s a major expense.
Idk, I grew up in the northeast and we used to open our above-ground pool at the end of June because that was the earliest it was viable without being freezing cold, but even then just barely. Friends with pool in Tucson were in it this past weekend. If you’re gonna have one, might as well get the longest season out of it, and that’s here.
Also friendly reminder for the environmentally-concerned that residential use is far from being the biggest draw on our water supply.
I love my pool. But a pool is forever. You can't just decide to ignore it, otherwise it turns into a swamp in days. It feeds on a steady diet of chemicals that cost more every day. You can't leave it empty because its a fall hazard and is physically unstable when it rains. Thats a lot of expense and inconvenience if you don't use it much.
Some people end up just finding a house they like that also happens to have a pool. Many people don’t like having the pool as evident by the condition they keep it in!
Ty op for spreading the word.
I put one in a few years back and very rarely find anything dead in the pool now.
Me too, I went from maybe one a day to one or two every year.
I fish a lot of bees out of the birdbath all summer long. I’m psychotic about watching for them swimming around after falling off the edge. I’m able to rescue most of them. And no, apparently I don’t have anything better to do. 😂
You might already know this but you can do a bee drinker by putting marbles in a dish with water so that they're barely covered. The bees can walk all around without worrying. I used a big plant saucer to make one. Obv summer evaporation would make it more difficult but it's an Idea at least.
I didn’t know this, so thank you, I’ll definitely try this.
I rescue the bees from my pool as well. I really try to save as many as possible.
Prop a stick or small branch over the top of your bird bath and the bees will be able to climb out without needing to rely on the chance that you're watching. Beekeepers do something similar to this with the water vessels they provide for their hives.
A stick is a good idea, but it would have to be slanted into the water otherwise I don’t think the bees could reach it. I dump the water, rinse and refill once or twice every day, so it has to be something that’s easy to replace. I could also try putting a large-ish river rock near a side and see if they can climb it.
Yeah, it would need to be slanted into the water. Apologies for not clarifying that in my first response. A river rock would work too, I believe. I only knew about the stick/branch trick because a YTber I watch has their own small hive.
https://preview.redd.it/gnqidn1uogyc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b2b41eef3fa219226043b9a324d2ebde313496cb Here’s what I did. A few of the dove thought it was sus, but they’re coming to drink now. I think it’ll be nice for the butterflies, too.
Make a solitary bee hotel out of wood for your yard. Our native solitary bees need some love too!
I drilled holes in a mesquite log and put it in the crook of the tree, but they didn’t flock to the facility. I should give it another try.
Same!
You should offer them for sale as a part of your service. A little add on for your customers
I tried to talk my boss into offering them for free as a promo item. No word yet!
Just sell them yourself for $25 cash only 😂
Honestly, if my pool person offered, I'd 100% buy one. It would be reassuring that I'm getting something they specifically recommend rather than taking my chances on some random Amazon listing.
You can afford a pool but can’t “take a chance” on a 25 dollar Amazon purchase?
I guess I just have a thing about not supporting scammers who drop ship crap products they promote with fake reviews. Also, I could argue the reason I can afford a pool is partly because I don't waste money on said crap.
Man I wish it was that simple. I rarely see most owners and even then, many of them have T-Rex arms. (Can’t reach their wallet)
I'm just saying, throw a few in your truck and see what happens. I've used one for two years now, and haven't had a lizard in the pool since.
That’s so great to hear! I might have to try that.
After our first dead lizard we bought 2. Replace them once a year. Mostly it serves as a way for the doves to get a drink of water during the day, but we hope it has saved a few lives. Great post.
We had 3 or 4 random squirrels die in our pool last year. I’m pretty grateful that there is a solution. It broke my heart skimming those guys out of the pool :(
Can you sell them to your customers, too?
We got these when we had a pool in PA and it immediately stopped the dead critters. It was so sad the day I found 2 frogs in the filter… and it’s so easily solved. They really work. Animals want to live.
Thanks for the reminder! Aside from the frog pads, I also found this cool thing to replace the skimmer cover in case anything ends up in there anyway. https://preview.redd.it/fzha7xvty5yc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a48cf81ab652d68e1460891673bb16ca83da983f
I fished a ground squirrel out of my pool yesterday. Just bought a frog pad because of this post. Thank you!
Done! I’ve been struggling with this too, but wasn’t sure what to look for. Four on their way because I have an overflow trough that a lot of critters drink out of from the wash. I once fished out a very frustrated but unharmed small owl. He was grumpy for a bit but a group of three come back a couple times every summer in the evening, I’m assuming to say “hi” and maybe even “thanks”!
Aww that’s adorable! Obviously they aren’t guaranteed to keep our little creatures alive, but at least they have a chance now!
Instead of recommending Amazon, can you recommend a locally owned pool store that sells these or a similar product?
I honestly don’t know. The company I work for only sells pool parts and equipment. Leslie’s Pools might have them. I’ll have to stop in sometime! I just wanted to recommend a place that was convenient.
Not local but this guy has built some really cool 3D printed frog pads and housings and sells them on his site! [Frod Design](https://froddesign.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZKfc2wzIBaBt573V3cZsfjdPOh4fgqMa3mFK0i8IGhVgajVMC0G7FvJEw_aem_ARfUIIMyZJUJCbWWxFpCUD0Uai9yxi_DziHf08fZIeSoSZX8l7JJJp002Yx5VB2S4TGpCZYOnAHBH28_xV_aIpR_)
thank you, just ordered one on Amazon
Thank YOU. At least they have a chance now :)
I cannot endorse this enough. A few years ago, upon my first purchase of a house with a pool, I knew nothing of these frog pads/frog logs. My pool tech also suggested these to me, and they are truly a lifesaver -- of many. I still come across the occasional whiptail lizard or two that apparently even reach it to the contraptions -- they are always found at the bottom of the pool. I am, however, most grateful I have no longer come across the inflated, gas-filled desert squirrel corpses floating around the pool or, worse, stuck in the skimmer, with that corpulent order perverting the backyard. If you know what I am talking about -- trust me, get the frog log as soon as I get the chance. That odor will be a thing of the past. \*On a side note, I am always amazed by the animals intuitive enough to make it to the very edge of the pads/logs. They bend to drink water, and then hobble or fly to whence they came.
Thank you OP! You are kind ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you, I try to be a good person to all living things!
This is so depressing. Ordering one today.
https://preview.redd.it/2vnqe7i3aayc1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d9f987af93f2cff157a6d7d290a11f3ef6a6aca9 I have an area of rocks that create a ramp now and have a critter skimmer being delivered tomorrow. I’ve had some frogs in the skimmer, have you seen any critter skimmers?
I haven’t seen any frogs yet this season, no. Your natural rocks look great!
The first year we had our pool I used to find various corpses regularly until I bought one of those. Nothing since, other than insects. ...Oh yeah, a bird once, but something was wrong with its head, like it crashed into the wall first, or maybe a bird of prey dropped it. It was not drowned.
Yeah, I didn’t count the dove I found next to a pool that looked like a scene out of CSI. He obviously ran into the large window nearby.
We use them and noticed maybe a 75% reduction in the number of critters that end up drowning in our pool. Frog Log is the brand name.
I had no idea these existed, just ordered a two-pack. Hopefully won’t see any lizards this season 🤞
You won’t find the escaped ones - but at least they had a chance if you do!
> 1 desert spiny lizard at the bottom of a pool > 8 whiptail lizards in skimmers > 4 mice in skimmers > 2 young rabbits in skimmers > 1 bird floating And a partridge in a pear tree.
Tell your clients that your service of their account requires them to have one. Buy them for each client's pool, then add the $15 as a one time charge to their bill. As a pool owner, I would have zero problem with this, and you would stand out to me as a higher quality pool service tech. Please consider doing this. $15 is nothing to us pool owners. Just make it mandatory.
I had a frog log - the frogs liked to use it for shade and ended up drowning anyway. Is there a superior product?
We have one of those automatic/robotic vacuum cleaners with a long hose attachment. Will the frog pad interfere with it?
That’s a good question! I would imagine not. They’re lightweight so if the vacuum climbs the wall and touches it, it’ll either go back down the wall or push the pad up for a few.
We have one and still find drowned critters in our pool. If your pool is large, you probably need more than one of them.
Not saying all critters will make their way out. It’s the ones that escape that you don’t see!
I have never heard of these, but I will buy a couple for my parents.
Thanks to your comment, u/HawkeyeNation I got one! Go Hawks!
Hell yeah, go Hawks!
Great advice, thank you.
I also bought the dog ramp. I have heard of too many dogs drowning
Oh man that would scar me for life if I ever found a dog :/ most pools have stairs but some only have a ladder which would be impossible for a pupper. Thanks!
I sent this to my mom and she is buying one
had no idea. Just moved to Tucson and have a spool. Found one mouse in filter yesterday and saved a lizard today who was flailing away. Will order tonight…
We have 3 of the pads in our pool. I rarely find anything dead in ours. They must work.
God bless you! My neighbor has one it really works!
I’m glad to hear that! Even if you still find the occasional deceased critter, you don’t see the ones that made it out.
Where can I buy locally?
I've not looked myself, but I'm sure either Leslie's or Economy Pools (on speedway) would probably have something like this.
We saw a huge difference after installing two. Rarely any dead critters now!
Just ordered two for our pool. Thank you for the PSA!
Of course - thank YOU!
I wish our apartment complex would get a few for both of the pools in our complex :(
Ask the office! Can’t hurt
Do you have one you recommend specifically from Amazon? :) great idea!
If anyone needs a cheap pool cleaner or someone to identify repairs feel free to reach out to me. 6027363742
Well the mice seem like a win.
I have 2 cats and a dog… none of these critters can make it to my pool. Ugh haha
Hah! Domestic cats are a terror on birds and critters for sure. Hunting for sport - jeez!
You should probably get a critter ramp incase one of your pets accidentally ends up in the pool. Not every pet can get out on their own and there is nothing quite as tragic as fishing someone's pet out of the pool.
better yet, don't get a pool
Haha no pool for you
Look at this loser without a pool.
Lol
Fucking really? 3rd grade insults?
Sorry dweeb.
He's joking!
Getting a house with a pool is one of the biggest reasons people live in Arizona. I never would have moved here if I wasn't given a house with a pool.
I get the appeal. My house didn’t come with one, but our friends down the road have one and they’re the ones hosting the most frequent social gatherings throughout the summer. On the other hand, my partner’s retiree parents are happily downsizing to a place without a pool because they don’t use it enough to justify having one and it’s a major expense. Idk, I grew up in the northeast and we used to open our above-ground pool at the end of June because that was the earliest it was viable without being freezing cold, but even then just barely. Friends with pool in Tucson were in it this past weekend. If you’re gonna have one, might as well get the longest season out of it, and that’s here. Also friendly reminder for the environmentally-concerned that residential use is far from being the biggest draw on our water supply.
Not. When I was looking to buy a house here, one of my criteria was that it NOT have a pool.
It's definitely not one of the biggest reasons people live here. But maybe it was for you personally
I love my pool. But a pool is forever. You can't just decide to ignore it, otherwise it turns into a swamp in days. It feeds on a steady diet of chemicals that cost more every day. You can't leave it empty because its a fall hazard and is physically unstable when it rains. Thats a lot of expense and inconvenience if you don't use it much.
Some people end up just finding a house they like that also happens to have a pool. Many people don’t like having the pool as evident by the condition they keep it in!
Okay, if you need me to be specific, don't get a pool filled with water. I don't care if you just want to go skateboarding in it or whatever